A blog reader sent me this article with the disturbing headline Cured meats Tied to Childhood leukemia Risk. The story discusses an association between leukemia and a child's tendency to consume cured meats like sausage, hot dogs and bacon.In comparison, children who consumed soy products,"had about half the leukemia risk of their peers who shunned vegetables and soy."

Why are Cured Meats so bad???

During the curing process, foods are preserved and flavored by the addition of salt, sugar and chemicals called nitrites; the foods are often smoked as well.

The article describes why cured meats are worrisome:

"During the curing process, foods are preserved and flavored by the addition of salt, sugar and chemicals called nitrites; the foods are often smoked as well. Nitrites are precursors to compounds known as nitrosamines, which are potentially cancer-promoting.In contrast, vegetables and soy contain antioxidants that may help neutralize those same compounds."

A blog reader sent me this article with the disturbing headline Cured meats Tied to Childhood leukemia Risk. The story discusses an association between leukemia and a child's tendency to consume cured meats like sausage, hot dogs and bacon.In comparison, children who consumed soy products,"had about half the leukemia risk of their peers who shunned vegetables and soy."

Why are Cured Meats so bad???

During the curing process, foods are preserved and flavored by the addition of salt, sugar and chemicals called nitrites; the foods are often smoked as well.

The article describes why cured meats are worrisome:

"During the curing process, foods are preserved and flavored by the addition of salt, sugar and chemicals called nitrites; the foods are often smoked as well. Nitrites are precursors to compounds known as nitrosamines, which are potentially cancer-promoting.In contrast, vegetables and soy contain antioxidants that may help neutralize those same compounds."